A Stroke Alert With Unexpected Outcome

Observational studies have suggested that intravenous (IV) thrombolysis may be unfavorable in patients with high-grade gliomas. However, current literature on thrombolysis outcomes in patients with primary brain tumors is largely limited to case reports and may be influenced by publication bias.

A 69-year-old male presented with acute left hemiplegia, left hemisensory loss, neglect, dysarthria and right gaze preference (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale 22). An emergent noncontrast head computerized tomography showed hypoattenuation in the right parietal lobe of unclear chronicity and IV thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator was administered within the 4.5 hour window. Following IV thrombolysis, a computerized tomography angiogram of the head and neck revealed no large vessel occlusion. However, a marginally enhancing, and centrally nonenhancing mass within the right parietal lobe associated with vasogenic edema was elucidated. Subsequently, the patient developed abnormal left hemibody tonic-clonic motor activity, left gaze preference and left-beating nystagmus concerning for focal motor status epilepticus. An emergent electroencephalogram, following administration of IV levetiracetam, showed right hemispheric electrographic seizures and right hemispheric periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges. Brain magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium revealed 2.5 cm ring-enhancing mass in the right parietal lobe. The patient underwent right sided craniotomy with resection of the mass and pathology revealed Glioblastoma.

We report a case of thrombolysis administered in a patient with high-grade glioma with no apparent complications.